The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-10-18
A SAD STORY.
Material With Which a Novel
Could be Written.
A PECULIAR CASE IN BROOKLYN
From the BROOKLYN Times.


From the Brooklyn Times.
In little white frame cottage on Liberty
avenue. near Wyckoff street, in the town of
New Lots, twenty-seven years ago, lived Louis
Hart and his wife, Catharine. They had four
remarkably pretty children. Three were boys,
and the other the youngest, Marguerite, was
a beautiful little girl but Is months old. She,
of course, was the pet of the family.
The father of this interesting family was q
hard working man, and earned but small
wages, barely sufficient to supply the neces-
saries of life In addition to this he was af-
fected with lung trouble. He was q brush
maker by trade.
Next door to the Harris lived aamiddle-aged
gentleman by tho name of Edward Wilder.
This Wilder was rich man. His east New
York residence he occupied only few months
in summer. His winter quarters were in New
Iork city, not far from Fifth avenue. lie
formerly had butcher stand in Washington
Market, where after years of patient labor he
amassed a competence He then retired from
business. Some lucky investments in real cs-
tate made him a millionaire.
Mr.. Wilder, although passionately fond Of
children, had no little ones of his own. He
often called upon tho Hart family, and adj
the struggles of the head of the family to
keep the wolf from the door, and observed
with SORROW that the poor mans strength was
unequal to the tasks imposed upon it. The
baby antics of the little Marguerite had also
worked upon his affections. and u great love
for the little one arose in his heart.
One day Mr.. Hart returned from his work
sick in body and mind. DeStitutlon stared
him III the face. His rich neighbor's sympathy
was aroused, and, calling upon Mr.. Wilder, the
latter made q proposition to him. He stated
how he had become attached to little Mar
guerite, how he had noticed their circum-
stances, and wound up by Offering to adopt the
little one.
The poor man could not bring himself at
once to let the child go, and asked for time to
consider the matter. But Mir Wilder had set
his heart upon gaining possession of the little
one, and offered to settle an annuity upon the
boys if his proposition were accepted He also
offered to divide between the boys valuable
plot of land lying in the northern part of New
York state. lie stipulated that whom he should
once have possession of the child 1t should
never again be reclaimed by its parents under
any circumstances, and that Marguerite should
never be made acquainted with the fact that
he was other than her own father. Quite an
affecting scene cnsued. The parents did not
want to let the child go, but at last came 10 the
conclusion that it was the best thing underline
circumstances, and gave the child INTO MI
Wilder's keeping.
Mr.. Wilder Immediately took Marguerite to
his New York establishment, and she grew up
to be very beautiful young woman, admired
by all. She was of the blonde type, with deep
blue eyes and golden hair and skin like ala
baster. Her figure was superb. She was the
belle of her set, and many were her suitOrs.
But she had not as yet met her affinity.
In tie summer of 1883 her father took her to
Newport, where she was the 4canowledged
belle. 1t was generally known that She was an
heress, and that, with her beauty, brought
many suitors to her feet. Among these was
handsome young lieutenant OF the United
States navy. He was young man with many
virtues and but few faults. lie was a fire.
quent attendant at divine services. They met
at the church. A mutual reciprOcation Sprang
up between the young people, and they We're
often seen upon the sands of Newport enjoy
ing one another's society They were a
handsome couple, admired by all but en-
We'd by none. Society began to whisper that
it was match. Society for once was right.
The friendship of the young couple in course
of time ripenod into q warmer feeling and one
beautiful moonlight night the young man rose
to the occasion and the inevitable proposal
was made. Marguerite had been expecting
this for some time, but, like a dutiful daugh-
ter, asked for time to consider her answer, and
in the mean time referred the whole matter to
her father. Her reasons for so doing were
that she was an heiress and he was compare
lively poor. PEOPLE would look upon this as
IA misalliance. She was not sure but that her
supposed father might also.
Mr.. Wilder listened attentively to Marguer-
ties story, and at the conclusion he smiled,
and, clasping her TO his bosom, kissed her, at
the same time assuring her that if lie found
the young mans character and antecodcnts to
be satisfactory, his poverty need be no bar to
the contamination of their happiness.
That same day Mr. Wilder went out and did
not return until late. He appeared to be de-
pressed, and went to bed without saying u
word. The next day ut the breakfast table he
proposed TO his little family that they take
trip to Europe. Marguerite had noticed his
altered manner, and when this proposition was
made she understood it as meaning that her
father would not give his consent to her mar
riage, and her heart failed her for the moment.
There was something wrong. She asked him
for his answer Mr.. Wilder evaded her ques-
tionings us long as he could, but when she
stated that if she did not get his consent to
their union she would leave her supposed
parents and 90 to her lover, the old man was
obliged to diyuge the secret of years, and in
formed her that the man she loved was her
own brother, Frederick Hart.
The poor girl tainted. When she came to
she was delirious She was removed to her
bed, where she remained for several weeks,
and when she arose it was seen that her brain
was seriously affected. Her lovers name was
constantly on her lips.
When Mr.. Wilder started out to inquire into
the young mans character and found that he
was none other than his adopted daughters
own brother, Fred Hart he was stunned. The
young man was made acquainted with the fact
Of his relationship and took it to heart A
few days afterwards his body was found IN the
river.
After Marguerite had recovered sufficiently
to bear the news, her adopted parents told her
Of the death of her lover. She became Effected
with melachoia, and has gradually grown
worse until now it is thought necessary to
place her in some institution whore she win
receive proper treatment and possibly recover.
With that end in view Mr. Wilder visited
well-known medical expert in this city yester-
day and arrangements we're made for placing
her in a private institution i'm this county.
PARIS AND LONDON.